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MARQUETTE COUNTY -- With all eyes on influenza vaccines this fall, it should come as little surprise that many providers of the seasonal vaccine in the U.P. are out, and most aren't expecting to get any more. 

The same drug companies make both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines, and right now the H1N1 virus is the big concern.  So the H1N1 vaccine has taken priority at the drug companies.

"At this point in time, the manufacturers have pretty much shifted the distribution to the H1N1 vaccine which, in many ways, is timely because what we are seeing as far as the influenza going on throughout the U.S., by far and away is the H1N1 strain," said Dr. Kevin Piggott, Medical Director of the Marquette County Health Department.

In years past, seasonal vaccine immunizations have started around this time of year.  But this year, because of the H1N1 virus, seasonal flu vaccines started at the beginning of September.

"Usually we're just starting to do immunizations.  So in many ways, we're well ahead of the game in regards to many people being immunized for seasonal flu at this point.  Where in years past, they may not have received any at this point," Dr. Piggott explained.

Because of the early start and high demand, in Marquette County, Marquette General Hospital, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Shopko and Superior Walk-In are all out of the seasonal vaccine and do not expect to receive any more. 

Target has 20 doses left to be administered tomorrow, first come, first served. 

The Center for Disease Control offers this explanation as to the shortage:

"We started earlier, and there's been more demand.  The combination of more demand and we started using it a little earlier and the fact that the manufacturers have been working over-time--all of their factories trying to make both these vaccines essentially simultaneously--has been a very big challenge to them and to the distribution system," said Dr. William Atkinson of the Center for Disease Control. 

If you're still looking to get the seasonal flu shot, the doctors advise to first check with your personal physician, and also check with the Marquette County Health Department for updates.